Keeneland set for short, but high-quality July meet

For some 60 years, July was a busy month at Keeneland. But since the Lexington, Ky., track last held its internationally famous July select yearling sale in 2002, the middle of summer has been a fairly quiet period.

That’ll change this coming week when Keeneland runs a five-day meet. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the spring meet canceled in April has essentially been compacted into one week in July. The meet spans Wednesday through July 12, with 10 graded stakes worth more than a combined $2.5 million being run during the final three days.

Spectators and most media are being denied admission to the grounds, although owners are being accommodated with restrictions, along with essential personnel, including many of the top jockeys and trainers in North America. TVG will provide extensive live coverage, with their employees being allowed to work on-site. All races will be streamed live at keeneland.com.

First post daily is 1:05 p.m. Eastern. Entries for the Wednesday opener will be drawn Sunday. In addition to the stakes program, all five cards will include maiden specials with purses starting at $70,000 and allowances starting at $77,000. (Purses for non-claiming/starter races include substantial bonuses paid only to registered Kentucky-breds.)

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Four of the stakes are Grade 1 events, although the richest race, the $600,000 Blue Grass, remains a Grade 2. The Blue Grass, one of six stakes on a big Saturday card, is a 100-40-20-10 points qualifier toward the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby.

Here’s a rundown of all the stakes ahead:

Grade 1, $300,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (Friday): Raging Bull, a last-out winner of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile, is foremost among the older horses pointing to this one-mile turf race. The 5-year-old French-bred is one of two in here to represent Chad Brown, along with Without Parole. Brown has maintained a string since early May at Churchill Downs with assistant Whit Beckman.

Other confirmed starters include War of Will, Halladay, and Set Piece.

Grade 3, $100,000 Beaumont (Friday): Finding Fame, Four Graces, and Sconsin are among the 3-year-old fillies likely for this 20-8-4-2 points qualifier for the Sept. 4 Kentucky Oaks. The Beaumont goes at the Beard Course distance of seven furlongs and 184 feet.

Grade 2, $600,000 Blue Grass (Saturday): Easily the most compelling pre-race question is whether Kenny McPeek runs Swiss Skydiver against boys in the Blue Grass or keeps her against the girls the same day in the Ashland. Swiss Skydiver was one of 22 horses made eligible to the Triple Crown through late nominations due June 4.

“I won’t make a decision until we enter” on Wednesday, McPeek said. “Probably the biggest factor is field size. If it looks like 12 to 14 in the Blue Grass and only seven or so in the Ashland, we’d probably stick with the girls.”

Swiss Skydiver has handily defeated fillies in each of her last three starts – the Gulfstream Oaks, the Fantasy at Oaklawn, and the Santa Anita Oaks. Among the 3-year-old colts and geldings likely for the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass are Art Collector, Basin, Enforceable, Mr. Big News, and Shivaree, all current members of Daily Racing Form’s Derby Watch Top 20.

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Grade 1, $400,000 Ashland (Saturday): Whether or not Swiss Skydiver goes in the 1 1/16-mile Ashland, a 100-40-20-10 points qualifier for the Kentucky Oaks, McPeek will saddle Envoutante, a sharp last-out winner of a Churchill allowance. Bonny South, Tonalist’s Shape, and Venetian Harbor also are expected, along with at least a few more 3-year-old fillies.

Grade 1, $350,000 Jenny Wiley (Saturday): Rushing Fall, whose 4-for-5 record over the Keeneland turf includes a win in the 2019 Jenny Wiley, looks like a solid favorite for Brown off a sharp comeback win last month in the Beaugay at Belmont. Jolie Olimpica and Secret Message are among the other fillies and mares expected for this 1 1/16-mile turf race.

Grade 1, $250,000 Madison (Saturday): Another Brown favorite, Guarana, heads the prospective lineup for this seven-furlong race for fillies and mares. Mia Mischief and Bell’s the One will be among the opposition.

Grade 2, $150,000 Appalachian (Saturday): The flashy Godolphin filly Alms will be looking to rebound off her first career defeat as the probable favorite among the 3-year-old fillies trying this one-mile turf race. Others include Enola Gay, Outburst, and Walk In Marrakesh.

Grade 2, $150,000 Shakertown (Saturday): Some of the most accomplished turf sprinters in the country will be part of a bulky lineup in this 5 1/2-furlong race, including Bound for Nowhere, Extravagant Kid, Shekky Shebaz, Texas Wedge, and Totally Boss.

Grade 2, $175,000 Elkhorn (Sunday): Zulu Alpha, winner of the Pegasus World Cup Turf, figures as a heavy favorite in this 1 1/2-mile turf race for older horses.

Grade 3, $100,000 Transylvania (Sunday): Brown will send out Vintage Print in this 1 1/16-mile turf race for which a sizable field of 3-year-olds can be expected.